Treason case registered against Altaf Hussain

KARACHI: A treason case was registered against MQM chief Altaf Hussain for his inflammatory speech yesterday that incited party workers to attack media outlets in Karachi.

IG Sindh AD Khawaja said on Tuesday that two cases had been filed against Altaf Hussain: one for treason for his anti-Pakistan speech to participants in the hunger strike organized by MQM and the other for inciting party workers to violent protests.

AD Khawaja said that the case had also been registered against Farooq Sattar and several other workers who participated in the hunger strike. The case pertains to the attack on ARY News' office in Saddar, vandalizing of property, arson and pelting of stones at police.

The case was registered at Artillery Maidan Police Station in Karachi, the police chief said.

MQM party workers took to the streets yesterday after Altaf Hussain, in an address from London, incited them to storm media outlets and chant anti-Pakistan slogans during the hunger strike.

In violent protests that ensued, party workers ransacked the offices of ARY News and damaged a mobile satellite van.

At least one person died and two other sustained injuries during the violent attacks in which around 2,000 party workers participated.